Rational religion, part 2

While I was busy investigating religion with my two Christian friends, the other friend I mentioned was busy with Judaism. I never went to religious events with him, but one weekend on a drive with his family a seemingly little thing happened that ended up leading me on a huge journey. His family and I listened to a cassette tape recording of a lecture.

The lecture, given by a Jew, was about the origin of the universe and was called “Scientific Data Supporting Creation.” Most of it washed over me but my curiosity was piqued by phrases like “black hole” and “quasar.” I borrowed the tape but, unfortunately, forgot about it until I found it a few years later during high school. This time my curiosity was piqued again by the space-talk. Through that, though, I was drawn into an amazing discussion of religion. The speaker presented an astounding idea - that ideally there shouldn’t be any contradiction between science and religion since both are about the same world. He then suggested that science’s current understanding of the origin of the universe and Judaism’s description of it are conflict-free and even agreeable. This went against what I had heard in Church. It sounded as if I wouldn’t have to suspend my rationality in order to accept this system of religion.

I listened to that tape over and over again for a month. When I realized that there were probably more like it out there I called my friend, who had since moved away, told him about the tape, and asked if he had more. He sent some, I continued listening, and we began talking.

The second round of tapes, equally as fascinating as the first, didn’t take long to blaze through. By the time I finished them I had developed a great interest in Judaism. At this point I was getting ready to graduate from high school. The only thing I had left to accomplish was a senior project on a topic of my choice. I chose the investigation of Judaism as my topic and proceeded to investigate in a much more formal and documented way.

Along the way I received help from an unlikely source - an acquaintance of my friend's who was not Jewish. My friend introduced me because this person had once walked along the path I was currently on. He was a Christian who began to question and eventually found answers with Judaism. He opened my eyes to the interesting fact Judaism isn’t just for Jews. Jews are involved with the religious system called the Torah. The Torah isn’t a club, however. Anyone can engage it as it is knowledge and knowledge is non-exclusive.

When I completed my senior project I began a new life project. The investigation I conducted lead me to a system of religion that my mind saw truth in. It only lead me to the gates, however. Ever since then I have been exploring the amazing world of Torah.